Variable focal length lens and lens array comprising discretely controlled micromirrors

ABSTRACT

A discretely controlled micromirror array lens (DCMAL) consists of many discretely controlled micromirrors (DCMs) and actuating components. The actuating components control the positions of DCMs electrostatically. The optical efficiency of the DCMAL is increased by locating a mechanical structure upholding DCMs and the actuating components under DCMs to increase an effective reflective area. The known microelectronics technologies can remove the loss in effective reflective area due to electrode pads and wires. The lens can correct aberrations by controlling DCMs independently. Independent control of each DCM is possible by known microelectronics technologies. The DCM array can also form a lens with arbitrary shape and/or size, or a lens array comprising the lenses with arbitrary shape and/or size.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a variable focal length lens consistingof a discretely controlled micromirror (DCM) array and operationalmethods for controlling the DCM array.

A widely used conventional variable focal length system makes use of tworefractive lenses. It has complex driving mechanisms to control therelative positions of the refractive lenses. This conventional systemalso has a slow response time. Alternatively, variable focal lengthlenses can be made by changing the shape of the lens, as is done in thehuman eye. This method has been used in lenses made with isotropicliquids. Other lenses have been made of media with an electricallyvariable refractive index to create either a conventional lens or agradient index lens by means of a voltage gradient. The electricallyvariable refractive index allows the focal length of the lenses to bevoltage controlled. Among them, the most advanced variable focal lengthlens is a liquid crystal variable focal length lens, which has a complexmechanism to control the focal length. Its focal length is changed bymodulating the refractive index. Unfortunately, it has a slow responsetime typically on the order of hundreds of milliseconds. Even though thefastest response liquid crystal lens has a response time of tens ofmilliseconds, it has small focal length variation and low focusingefficiency.

In summary, no variable focusing length lens has provided a fastresponse time, large focal length variation, high focusing efficiency,and adaptive phase control simultaneously.

To solve the limitations of the conventional variable focal length lens,a micromirror array lens was proposed. The details of the fast-responsemicromirror array lens are described in J. Boyd and G. Cho, 2003,“Fast-response Variable Focusing micromirror array lens,” Proceeding ofSPIE Vol. 5055: 278-286. The micromirror array lens mainly comprises amicromirror array and actuating components, and uses an electrostaticforce to control the focal length of the lens. The focal length of themicromirror array lens is varied by varying the displacement of eachmicromirror. The practical use of the micromirror array lens is limitedby the displacement range of the micromirror, high driving voltage, andcomplex electric circuits. These limitations are caused by establishingequilibrium between the electrostatic force and the elastic force tocontrol the displacement of the micromirror.

To overcome these limitations, the discretely controlled micromirror(DCM) was invented. The details of the DCM are described in theapplicant's U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/872,241 for “DiscretelyControlled Micromirror With Multi-Level Positions”, which was filed onJun. 18, 2004, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference asif fully set forth herein. The DCM has a large displacement range, haslow driving voltage, and is fully compatible with the microelectronicscircuits. Two exemplary DCMs were invented, which are a VariablySupported Discretely Controlled Micromirror (VSDCM) and a SegmentedElectrode Discretely Controlled Micromirror (SEDCM). The displacementsof the VSDCM are determined by supports providing gaps of various widththrough which the DCM can move. The displacements of the SEDCM aredetermined by combinations of sizes, positions, and discrete voltages ofsegmented electrodes.

This invention provides a discretely controlled micromirror array lens(DCMAL) and DCMAL array consisting of DCMs to overcome the limitationsof conventional micromirror array lens.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contrives to solve the disadvantages ofconventional micromirror array lens.

The objective of the invention is to provide a discretely controlledmicromirror array lens (DCMAL) with a large variation of focal length.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a DCMAL with lowdriving voltage compatible with known IC circuit operation and/or thecontrol voltage of IC circuits. Conventional electrostatic micromirrorsundergo the classical snap-down instability phenomenon when the electricforce exceeds the elastic force. The snap-down phenomenon reduces theuseful ranges of translation and rotation. The high driving voltage isalso a disadvantage of the conventional electrostatic micromirrors inpractical use. To be compatible with IC components, which normallyoperate at 5V, and to prevent electrical breakdown, the maximum value ofthe driving voltage should generally be as low as possible. Theinaccuracy of the mirror displacement is another important disadvantageof the conventional electrostatic micromirrors. Therefore, theconventional micromirror array lens, which is described in“Fast-response Variable Focusing Micromirror Array Lens,” Proceeding ofSPIE Vol. 5055: 278-286”, J. Boyd and G. Cho, 2003, has severallimitations which are a small focal length change, a high drivingvoltage and an incompatibility with microelectronics circuits. Theselimitations are caused by using equilibrium between the electrostaticforce and the elastic force to control the displacements of amicromirror. To overcome these limitations, the discretely controlledmicromirror (DCM) was invented. The details of the DCM are described inthe applicant's U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/872,241 for“Discretely Controlled Micromirror With Multi-Level Positions”, whichwas filed on Jun. 18, 2004, the disclosure of which is incorporated byreference as if fully set forth herein. In that reference, two exemplaryDCMs were invented: a variably supported discretely controlledmicromirror (VSDCM) and a segmented electrode discretely controlledmicromirror (SEDCM). The VSDCM includes a micromirror and a plurality ofvariable supports on which the micromirror rests. The variable supportsdetermine the position of the micromirror. The variable supports arelocated under the micromirror. Each of the variable supports iscontrolled to change its height whereby the position of the micromirroris controlled. The SEDCM includes a micromirror and a plurality ofsegmented electrodes. The segmented electrodes determine the position ofthe micromirror. The applied voltage to segmented electrodes is digitaland/or discrete. The displacements of the VSDCM are determined bysupports providing gaps of various width through which the DCM can move.The VSDCM has a large displacement range, has low driving voltage, andis compatible with microelectronics circuits. The displacements of theSEDCM are determined by combinations of sizes, positions, and discretevoltages of segmented electrodes.

The following six U.S. Patent Applications of the applicant describevariable focusing lenses having micromirrors, and an array ofmicromirror array lenses. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/855,554,which was filed on May 27, 2004, is for an invention entitled “VariableFocusing Lens Comprising Micromirrors with One Degree of FreedomRotation.” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/855,715, which was filedon May 27, 2004, is for an invention entitled “Variable Focal LensComprising Micromirrors with Two Degrees of Freedom Rotation.” U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/855,287, which was filed on May 27, 2004,is for an invention entitled “Variable Focal Lens ComprisingMicromirrors with Two Degrees of Freedom Rotation and One Degree ofFreedom Translation.” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/855,796, whichwas filed on May 28, 2004, is for an invention entitled “Variable FocalLens Comprising Micromirrors with One Degree of Freedom Rotation and OneDegree of Freedom Translation.” U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/855,714, which was filed on May 28, 2004, is for an inventionentitled “Array of Micromirror Array Lenses. U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/857,280, which was filed on May 28, 2004, is for aninvention entitled “Variable Focal Lens Comprising Micromirrors with OneDegree of Freedom Translation.” The disclosures of the applications areincorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

This invention provides a discretely controlled micromirror array lens(DCMAL) consisting of DCMs to overcome the limitations of conventionalmicromirror array lenses. The DCMAL is similar to the conventionalmicromirror array lens, but differs in that the lens or lens arrayconsists of DCMs instead of conventional electrostatic micromirrors.

Each DCM has the same function as a mirror. Therefore, the reflectivesurface of the DCM is made of metal, metal compound, multi-layereddielectric material, or other materials with high reflectivity. Manyknown microfabrication processes can make the surface of a DCM to havehigh reflectivity. By making all light scattered from one point of anobject have the same periodical phase and converge at one point of theimage plane, the DCM array works as a reflective lens. The focal lengthof the lens is changed by controlling the translation, by controllingthe rotation, or by controlling both the translation and the rotation ofeach DCM. The DCMAL formed by controlling only rotation has a relativelylarger aberration than the lens with control of both translation androtation since there is no translation to control the phase of light.The DCMAL formed by the control of only translation also has relativelylarger aberration. For the DCMAL with pure translation, the smaller thesize of the DCM, the less is the aberration. Even though the quality ofthe lens formed by control of either only translation or only rotationis lower than the quality of the lens formed by control of both rotationand translation, it is still an attractive lens design because itsstructure and its control are much simpler than the lens formed bycontrol of both rotation and translation.

The DCMAL can be formed by a polar array of the DCMs. For the polararray, each DCM has a fan shape to increase its effective reflectivearea so that the optical efficiency increases. The optical efficiency ofthe DCMAL can be improved by locating a mechanical structure supportinga micromirror and the actuating components under the micromirror toincrease its effective reflective area. Electric circuits to operate theDCM can be made with known MOS and CMOS technologies, which are widelyused in microelectronics. By applying the microelectronics circuitsunder the micromirror array, the effective reflective area can beincreased by removing the area that is required for electrode pads andwires. The aberration of the DCMAL can also be reduced by using DCMswith curved surfaces.

The DCMs are arranged to form one or more concentric circles to form theaxisymmetric lens and the DCMs on the same concentric circle can becontrolled by the same electrodes with concentric circular shape orindependently controlled by making electric circuits required forindependent control with known microelectronics technologies such as MOSor CMOS.

It is desired that each of the micromirrors has a curvature because theideal shape of a conventional reflective lens has a curvature. If thesize of each flat micromirror is small, then the aberration of the lensconsisting of these flat micromirrors is also small. In this case, themicromirrors do not need to have a curvature.

By controlling each DCM independently, the lens can correct aberration,which is caused by optical effects due to the medium between the objectand its image or is caused by defects of a lens system that cause itsimage to deviate from the rules of paraxial imagery. Independent controlof each DCM is made possible by making electric circuits required forcontrol with known microelectronics technologies and fabricating thecircuits underneath the micromirrors using known microfabricationmethods.

The array consisting of the independently controlled DCMs with tworotational degrees of freedom or two degrees of rotational freedom andone degree of translational freedom can form a lens with arbitrary shapeand/or size, or a lens array comprising lenses with arbitrary shapeand/or size. Therefore, incident lights can be modulated arbitrarily byforming arbitrary shape and/or size of a lens or a lens array comprisinglenses with arbitrary shape and/or size. To do this, it is required thatincident lights are deflected to arbitrary directions by controlling tworotational degrees of freedom or controlling two rotational degrees offreedom and one translational degree of freedom. Independent translationof each DCM is required to satisfy the phase condition.

The advantages of the present invention are: (1) the DCMAL has a largefocal length variation because a large numerical aperture variation canbe achieved by increasing the maximum rotational angle of the DCM; (2)The driving voltage is low. Therefore, the DCMAL is fully compatiblewith known IC circuit operation and semiconductor microelectronicstechnologies; (3) the DCMAL has very fast response time because each DCMhas a tiny mass; (4) the DCMAL has a high optical focusing efficiency;(5) the DCMAL can have a large size aperture without losing opticalperformance. Because the DCMAL consists of discrete micromirrors,increasing the DCMAL size does not cause the an increase of aberrationcaused by lens shape error; (5) the DCMAL has a low cost because of theadvantages of its mass productivity; (6) the DCMAL can correctaberration; (7) the DCMAL makes the focusing system very simple; (8) theDCMAL can have arbitrary shape and/or size.

Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the fullunderstanding of the invention can be obtained by the followingdrawings, detailed description, and appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with references to theaccompanying drawings, wherein

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the Discretely ControlledMicromirror (DCM) with variable supports;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the DCM using segmentedelectrodes;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the cut-away side view of adiscretely controlled micromirror array lens (DCMAL);

FIG. 4 is an in-plane schematic view showing one of the structures of aDCMAL consisting of a discretely controlled micromirror (DCM) array;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing how the DCMAL works as a lens;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the cut-away side view of a DCMALlens with pure translation;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing two rotational axes and onetranslational axis of the DCM.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the cylindrical DCMAL comprisinghexagonal DCMs.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the circular DCMAL comprisinghexagonal DCMs.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the cylindrical DCMAL comprisingrectangular DCMs.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the circular DCMAL comprisingtriangular DCMs.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the array of DCMAL comprisinghexagonal DCMs.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the array of DCMAL comprisingtriangular DCMs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the concept of the DCM with the variable supports 1. Thevariably supported discretely controlled micromirror (VSDCM) usessupports 1 providing gaps of various width through which the micromirrorcan move. The supports 1 are located under the micromirror 2.Translation and rotation of the VSDCM are determined by combinations ofgaps, which are determined by variable supports 3, 4 on which themicromirror 5 rests. Gaps determined by the variable supports arecontrolled and the micromirror rests on the controlled supports 3, 4 byattractive force 6. Therefore, the combination of gaps which thesupports 3, 4 provide determines translation and rotation of themicromirror 2. Gap variation by the supports 3, 4 is determined bybistable motions of the supports 3, 4 and the motions are controlled bydigital voltage. The position of micromirror 5 is restored to itsinitial position by the force of flexible spring 7 when the attractiveforce is off.

FIG. 2 shows another type of DCM using segmented electrodes 10. Thesegmented electrode discretely controlled micromirror (SEDCM) has thesame disadvantages as the conventional electrostatic micromirror exceptfor the compatibility with known microelectronics technologies for thecontrol circuits. The micromirror 11 can have the desired three degreesof freedom by the appropriate force combination of segmented electrodes10 with different areas, positions, and discrete voltages.

FIG. 3 illustrates the principle of a DCMAL 21. There are two conditionsto make a perfect lens. The first is the converging condition that alllight scattered by one point of an object should converge into one pointon the image plane. The second is the same phase condition that allconverging light should have the same phase at the image plane. Tosatisfy the perfect lens conditions, the surface shape of conventionalreflective lens 22 is formed to have all light scattered by one point ofan object to be converged onto one point of the image plane and have theoptical path length for all converging light rays.

A DCM array arranged in a flat plane can satisfy the two conditions tobe a lens. Each of the DCMs 23 rotates to converge the scattered light.Because all DCMs 23 of the DCMAL 21 are arranged in a flat plane asshown in FIG. 3, the optical path lengths of lights converged byrotations of the DCMs are different. Even though the optical path lengthof converging light is different, the same phase condition can besatisfied by adjusting the phase because the phase of light is periodic.

FIG. 4 illustrates the in-plane view of a DCMAL 31 having a plurality ofDCMs 32. The DCM 32 has the same function as a mirror. Therefore, thereflective surface of the DCM 32 is made of metal, metal compound,multi-layered dielectric material or other materials with highreflectivity. Many known microfabrication processes can make the surfaceto have high reflectivity. Each DCM 32 is electrostatically controlledby actuating components 33. For the case of an axisymmetric lens, it isbetter that the DCMAL 31 has a polar array of the DCMs 32. Each of theDCMs 32 has a fan shape to increase its effective reflective area, whichincreases the optical efficiency. The DCMs are arranged to form one ormore concentric circles to form the axisymmetric lens and the DCMs onthe same concentric circle can be controlled by the same electrodes withconcentric circular shape.

The mechanical structure upholding each reflective micromirror 32 andthe actuating components 33 is located under the micromirror 32 toincrease the effective reflective area. Also, the electric circuits tooperate the micromirrors can be made with known microelectronicstechnologies such as MOS or CMOS. Making the circuits under themicromirror array can increase the effective reflective area by removingthe area for the electrode pads and wires to be required to supply theactuating power.

FIG. 5 illustrates how a DCMAL 41 having a plurality of DCMs 44 images.Arbitrary scattered lights 42, 43 are converged into one point P of theimage plane by controlling the positions of the DCMs 44. The phases ofarbitrary light 42, 43 can be adjusted to be the same by translating theDCMs 44. The required translational displacement range is at least halfof the wavelength of light.

It is desired that each of the DCMS 44 has a curvature because the idealshape of a conventional reflective lens 22 has a curvature. If the sizeof the DCM is small enough, the aberration of the lens consisting offlat DCMs 44 is also small enough. In this case, the DCM does not needto have a curvature and can be flat.

The focal length f of the DCMAL 41 is changed by controlling therotation and/or translation of each DCM 44. The DCMAL 41 can be made bycontrolling only rotation without controlling translation even though ithas a relatively large aberration. In this case, the imaging quality ofthe lens 41 formed by controlling only rotation is degraded due to theaberration.

FIG. 6 illustrates a DCMAL 51 having a plurality of DCMs 50 made by puretranslation without rotation of the DCM 50. Pure translation withoutrotation can also satisfy the two imaging conditions by Fresneldiffraction theory. The lens 51 formed by the control of onlytranslation also has an aberration. The smaller the sizes of the DCMs 50are, the less is the aberration. Even though the lens 51 with eitheronly translation or only rotation has low quality, it is a useful lensdesign because its structure and control are much simpler than the lenswith both rotation and translation.

FIG. 7 shows a DCM with two rotational degrees of freedom andtranslation with one degree of freedom. The array consisting of DCMswith two degrees of freedom rotations 60, 61 or two degrees of freedomrotations 60, 61 and one degree of freedom translation 62 which arecontrolled independently can be a lens with arbitrary shape and/or sizeor a lens array consisting of lenses with arbitrary shape and/or size.Incident lights can be modulated arbitrarily by forming an arbitraryshape and/or size lens or a lens array comprising lenses with arbitraryshape and/or size. To do this, it is required that incident lights aredeflected to arbitrary direction by controls of two degrees of freedomrotations 60, 61. Independent control for translation 62 of each DCM isalso required to satisfy the phase condition.

In FIGS. 8-13, the rotational amount of the micromirror is representedby lengths of arrows 72, 83, 93, 103, 112, 122 respectively and therotational direction of the micromirror is represented by directions ofarrows 72, 83, 93, 103, 112, 122, respectively. FIG. 8 shows a variablefocal length cylindrical DCMAL comprising hexagonal micromirrors 71.FIG. 9 shows a variable focal length circular DCMAL 81 comprisinghexagonal micromirrors 71. Shape, position and size of the variablefocal length circular lens 81 can be changed by independent controls ofmicromirrors 71 with two rotations and one translation. Even thoughFIGS. 8 and 9 show hexagonal micromirrors 71, fan shape, rectangle,square, and triangle micromirrors array can be used. An array comprisingfan shape micromirrors is appropriate to an axisymmetric lens as shownin FIG. 4. FIG. 10 shows a variable focal length cylindrical DCMAL 91comprising rectangular micromirrors 92. An array comprising square orrectangular micromirrors 92 is appropriate to a symmetric lens about oneaxis of in-plane such as cylindrical DCMAL 91. FIG. 11 shows a variablefocal length circular DCMAL 101 comprising triangular micromirrors 102.An array comprising triangular micromirrors 102 is appropriate to a lenswith arbitrary shape and/or size as an array comprising hexagonalmicromirrors.

FIG. 12 shows an array of the variable focal length DCMAL 111 comprisinghexagonal micromirrors 71. FIG. 13 shows an array of the variable focallength DCMAL 121 comprising triangular micromirrors 102. In FIGS. 9, 11,12 and 13, micromirrors 82 which are not elements of the lens arecontrolled to make lights reflected by the micromirrors 82 have noinfluence on imaging or focusing.

The DCMAL is an adaptive optical component because the phase of lightcan be changed by controlling the translations 62 and/or rotations 60,61 of micromirrors independently. Adaptive optical DCMAL requirestwo-dimensional array of individually addressable micromirrors. Toachieve this, the micromirrors can be combined with on-chip electronics.In order to do this, wafer-level integration of micromirrors with themicroelectronics circuits may be performed.

The DCMAL can correct the phase errors since an adaptive opticalcomponent can correct the phase errors of light due to the mediumbetween the object and its image and/or correct the defects of a lenssystem that cause its image to deviate from the rules of paraxialimagery. For example, the DCMAL can correct the phase error due tooptical tilt by adjusting the translations 62 and/or rotations 60, 61 ofmicromirrors.

The same phase condition satisfied by the DCMAL contains an assumptionof monochromatic light. Therefore, to get a color image, the DCMAL iscontrolled to satisfy the same phase condition for each wavelength ofRed, Green, and Blue (RGB), respectively, and the imaging system can usebandpass filters to make monochromatic lights with wavelengths of Red,Green, and Blue (RGB).

If a color photoelectric sensor is used as an imaging sensor in theimaging system using the DCMAL, a color image can be obtained byprocessing electrical signals from Red, Green, and Blue (RGB) imagingsensors with or without bandpass filters, which should be synchronizedwith the controls of DCMAL. To image Red light scattered from an object,the DCMAL is controlled to satisfy the phase condition for Red light.During the operation, Red, Green, and Blue imaging sensors measure theintensity of each Red, Green, and Blue light scattered from an object.Among them, only the intensity of Red light is stored as image databecause only Red light is imaged properly. To image each Green or Bluelight, the DCMAL and each imaging sensor work in the same manner as theprocess for the Red light. Therefore, the DCMAL is synchronized withRed, Green, and Blue imaging sensors. Alternatively, the same phasecondition for a color image is satisfied by using the least commonmultiple of wavelengths of Red, Green, and Blue lights as an effectivewavelength for the phase condition. In this case, it is not necessaryfor the DCMAL to be controlled to satisfy the phase condition for eachRed, Green, and Blue light individually. Instead of it, the phasecondition for the least common multiple of the wavelengths should besatisfied.

For the simpler control, the translation of each micromirror is onlycontrolled to satisfy the phase condition for one light among Red,Green, and Blue lights or is not controlled to satisfy the phasecondition for any light of them. Even though the DCMAL is not controlledto satisfy the phase condition for all wavelengths, the lens still canbe used as a variable focal length lens with low quality.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference todifferent embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skills inthe art that variations in form, detail, compositions and operation maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the accompanying claims.

1. A variable focal length lens comprising a plurality of discretelycontrolled micromirrors (DCMs).
 2. The variable focal length lens ofclaim 1, wherein the DCM comprises a) a micromirror; and b) a pluralityof variable supports on which the micromirror rests; wherein thevariable supports determine the position of the micromirror.
 3. Thevariable focal length lens of claim 2, wherein the variable supports arelocated under the micromirror.
 4. The variable focal length lens ofclaim 2, wherein each of the variable supports is controlled to changeits height whereby the position of the micromirror is controlled.
 5. Thevariable focal length lens of claim 1, wherein the DCM comprises: a) amicromirror; and b) a plurality of segmented electrodes; wherein thesegmented electrodes determine the position of the micromirror, whereinthe applied voltage to segmented electrodes is digital and/or discrete.6. The lens of claim 1, wherein the rotation of the DCM is controlled.7. The lens of claim 1, wherein the translation of the DCM iscontrolled.
 8. The lens of claim 1, wherein the rotation and translationof the DCM are controlled.
 9. The lens of claim 1, wherein two degreesof freedom rotation of the DCM is controlled.
 10. The lens of claim 1,wherein two degrees of freedom rotation and one degree of freedomtranslation of the DCM are controlled.
 11. The lens of claim 1, whereinthe DCMs are controlled independently.
 12. The lens of claim 1, whereinthe DCM is actuated by electrostatic force.
 13. The lens of claim 1,wherein DCMs are arranged to form one or more concentric circles to formthe lens.
 14. The lens of claim 13, wherein DCMs on same concentriccircles are controlled by the same electrodes.
 15. The lens of claim 1,wherein a control circuitry is provided under the micromirrors, whereinthe control circuitry is made with microelectronics fabricationtechnologies.
 16. The lens of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface ofthe DCM is substantially flat.
 17. The lens of claim 1, wherein thereflective surface of the DCM has a curvature.
 18. The lens of claim 17,wherein curvature of the DCM is controlled.
 19. The lens of claim 18,wherein the curvature of the DCM is controlled by electrothermal force.20. The lens of claim 18, wherein the curvature of the DCM is controlledby electrostatic force.
 21. The lens of claim 1, wherein the DCM has afan shape.
 22. The lens of claim 1, wherein the DCM has a hexagonalshape.
 23. The lens of claim 1, wherein the DCM has a rectangular shape.24. The lens of claim 1, wherein the DCM has a square shape.
 25. Thelens of claim 1, wherein the DCM has a triangular shape.
 26. The lens ofclaim 1, wherein the lens has an arbitrary size and/or shape.
 27. Thelens of claim 1, wherein all DCMs are arranged in a flat plane.
 28. Thelens of claim 1, wherein the surface material of the DCM is the one withhigh reflectivity.
 29. The lens of claim 1, wherein the surface materialof the DCM is metal.
 30. The lens of claim 1, wherein the surfacematerial of the DCM is metal compound.
 31. The lens of claim 1, whereinthe surface of the DCM is made by multi-layered dielectric coating. 32.The lens of claim 2, wherein a mechanical structure upholding themicromirror and actuating components are located under the micromirror.33. The lens of claim 1, wherein the lens is an adaptive opticalcomponent, wherein the lens compensates for phase errors of light due tothe medium between an object and its image.
 34. The lens of claim 1,wherein the lens is an adaptive optical component, wherein the lenscorrects aberrations.
 35. The lens of claim 1, wherein the lens is anadaptive optical component, wherein the lens corrects the defects of animaging system that cause the image to deviate from the rules ofparaxial imagery.
 36. The lens of claim 1, wherein the lens iscontrolled to satisfy the same phase condition for each wavelength ofRed, Green, and Blue (RGB), respectively, to get a color image.
 37. Thelens of claim 1, wherein the lens is controlled to satisfy the samephase condition for one wavelength among Red, Green, and Blue (RGB) toget a color image.
 38. The lens of claim 1, wherein the same phasecondition for color imaging is satisfied by using the least commonmultiple of wavelengths of Red, Green, and Blue lights as an effectivewavelength for the phase condition.
 39. The lens of claim 1, wherein thelens is an adaptive optical component, wherein an object which does notlie on the optical axis can be imaged by the lens without macroscopicmechanical movement.
 40. A lens array comprising a variable focal lengthdiscretely controlled micromirror array lens (DCMAL), wherein the lenscomprises a plurality of DCMs.
 41. The lens array of claim 40, whereineach variable focal length has independent focal length variation. 42.The lens array of claim 40, wherein the rotation of the DCM iscontrolled.
 43. The lens array of claim 40, wherein the translation ofthe DCM is controlled.
 44. The lens array of claim 40, wherein therotation and translation of the DCM are controlled.
 45. The lens arrayof claim 40, wherein two degrees of freedom rotation of the DCM iscontrolled.
 46. The lens array of claim 40, wherein two degrees offreedom rotation and one degree of freedom translation of the DCM arecontrolled.
 47. The lens array of claim 40, wherein the DCMs arecontrolled independently.
 48. The lens array of claim 40, wherein theDCMs are actuated by electrostatic force.
 49. The lens array of claim40, wherein a control circuitry is provided under the micromirrors,wherein the control circuitry is made with microelectronics fabricationtechnologies.
 50. The lens array of claim 40, wherein the reflectivesurface of the DCM is substantially flat.
 51. The lens array of claim40, wherein the reflective surface of the DCM has a curvature.
 52. Thelens array of claim 40, wherein the curvatures of the DCMs arecontrolled.
 53. The lens array of claim 52, wherein the curvature of theDCM are controlled by electrothermal force.
 54. The lens array of claim52, wherein the curvatures of the DCMs are controlled by electrostaticforce.
 55. The lens array of claim 40, wherein the DCM has a fan shape.56. The lens array of claim 40, wherein the DCM has a hexagonal shape.57. The lens array of claim 40, wherein the DCM has a rectangular shape.58. The lens array of claim 40, wherein the DCM has a square shape. 59.The lens array of claim 40, wherein the DCM has a triangular shape. 60.The lens array of claim 40, wherein the lens has arbitrary shape and/orsize.
 61. The lens array of claim 40, wherein the DCMs are controlled tochange the focal length of each lens of the lens array.
 62. The lensarray of claim 40, wherein all DCMs are arranged in a flat plane. 63.The lens array of claim 40, wherein DCMs are arranged to form one ormore concentric circles to form a lens.
 64. The lens array of claim 63,wherein DCMs on the same concentric circles are controlled by the sameelectrodes.
 65. The lens array of claim 40, wherein the surface materialof the DCM is the one with high reflectivity.
 66. The lens array ofclaim 40, wherein the surface material of the DCM is metal.
 67. The lensarray of claim 40, wherein the surface material of the DCM is metalcompound.
 68. The lens array of claim 40, wherein the surface of the DCMis made by multi-layered dielectric coating.
 69. The lens array of claim40, wherein a mechanical structure upholding the DCMs and actuatingcomponents are located under the DCMs.
 70. The lens array of claim 40,wherein the lens is an adaptive optical component, wherein the lenscompensates for phase errors of light due to the medium between anobject and its image.
 71. The lens array of claim 40, wherein the lensis an adaptive optical component, wherein the lens corrects aberrations.72. The lens array of claim 40, wherein the lens is an adaptive opticalcomponent, wherein the lens corrects the defects of an imaging systemthat cause the image to deviate from the rules of paraxial imagery. 73.The lens array of claim 40, wherein the lens is an adaptive opticalcomponent, wherein an object which does not lie on the optical axis canbe imaged by the lens without macroscopic mechanical movement.
 74. Thelens array of claim 40, wherein the lens is controlled to satisfy thesame phase condition for each wavelength of Red, Green, and Blue (RGB),respectively, to get a color image.
 75. The lens array of claim 40,wherein the lens is controlled to satisfy the same phase condition forone wavelength among Red, Green, and Blue (RGB) to get a color image.76. The lens array of claim 40, wherein the same phase condition forcolor imaging is satisfied by using the least common multiple ofwavelengths of Red, Green, and Blue lights as an effective wavelengthfor the phase condition.